Sandwell Proof of Concept - Link Local Government Disease Prevention Planning to Community Behaviour Change

Citizen health and wellbeing are vital to the UK New Economy and future prosperity.

Air pollution is the leading environmental cause of early death -- contributing to the equivalent of 5% of all deaths globally. Air pollution is also responsible for a substantial amount of morbidity, causing short and long term health effects, as well as a significant contributor to health inequalities.

The project will demonstrate a proof of concept in Sandwell, UK that enables the local authority to: plan health priorities by calculating short- and long-term benefits of Disease Prevention; digitally 'nudge' behaviour change at locations where air emissions present significant health risk; and inform citizens in near real time of health impacts from their choice of transport and home fuels.

A self-driven digital experience will inform citizens of the health impacts from their choice of transport and home fuels. Council planners will guide citizen choices, linking air pollution to health and related health care costs over time, assisting local authority policy and resource planning for targeted mitigation measures and public health campaigns.

This innovation will integrate, co-related health, environment and costing data in near, real-time. Local authorities gain the ability to issue health advice with long-term population health outcomes, aligned to coordinated behaviour change.

The proof of concept will be delivered in the Municipal Borough of Sandwell ('Sandwell') with lessons learned rolled out to UK Councils seeking Disease Prevention through community behaviour change to reduce air emissions.

As a leader in this domain, Sandwell is driving urgent progress to reduce high concentrations of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and breathable dust particles (PM2.5) in the Borough Air Quality Management Area.

Tackling air pollution will improve both the environment and public health. In the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)/PHE air pollution guidance, local authorities are urged to consider a range of effective interventions that encourage movement to low or zero emission areas.